Artisan du Chocolat acquired by former Godiva president and CEO
Artisan du Chocolat has sold a majority stake in its business to Mohamed Elsarky, the former president and chief executive of Godiva Chocolatier.
In addition, Elsarky has become chairman of the business with immediate effect.
Founded by Anne Weyns in 1999, Artisan’s chocolates are British-made from the company’s own production site in Ashford in Kent. The business sells online and has retail stores in Chelsea, London’s Selfridge’s and at Borough Market. It also supplies private-label chocolates to the fine food retailers in the UK.
Weyns said: “I am delighted to welcome Mohamed Elsarky to Artisan. Mohamed not only shares my passion for fine chocolate in spades, but importantly brings an unparalleled global experience in branded and private label chocolates and the track record of transforming businesses and developing scale, while preserving quality.”
Elsarky added: “Acquiring a brand during a global pandemic was always going to be a challenge, but I was determined to invest in this unique business. I believe wholeheartedly in Artisan’s potential. Artisan du Chocolat is an absolute gem – it has all the ingredients for a fantastic business recipe: creativity, uncompromising quality and dedication to its craft.”
Elsarky will be supporting Artisan in its plans to increase production and and will also develop its online platform to make it more innovative.
